Failed Smog in CA: need help s/ 88 16v

[dbarwick@sprynet.com (Diamond Dave)]

Or you could save time and just replace your catalytic converter like I did.
In Oregon we have the rolling test dyno. My shop said that my high NOx (5.64
instead of 3.70) was most likely due to a failed cat. They saw a ton of this
same thing when Oregon switched to the dyno test. Catalytic converters only
last a long time if your engine is in great shape and no oil or unburned gas
gets inside of it.

Unfortunately my car required the expensive Cat + downpipe, so $300 later
for a tt downpipe and I passed. Too bad the shop only installed the exhaust
with 2 bushings and didn't bother to adjust it so there was no contact with
the body.

I've heard of people driving the piss out of their cars in order to get the
cat really heated up so the HC's could drop. my mistake the 1st time was
turning the engine off.

HTH,
Diamond Dave
88 Scirocco **For Sale!**
http://scirocco16v.com/profiles/david_b.htm
84 Jetta GLI
http://www.scirocco16v.com/jetta_gallery/mk1jet.jpg
Portland, OR




-----Original Message-----
From: scirocco-l-admin@scirocco.org
[mailto:scirocco-l-admin@scirocco.org]On Behalf Of Curt
Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2002 4:22 PM
To: Scirocco List; dave t
Subject: Re: Failed Smog in CA: need help s/ 88 16v


You could be looking at a number of causes but in hopes of narrowing it down
let's start off like this, your CO% & HC's are too high at idle and with
those numbers HC's should fall when CO is adjusted down (Leaned out), so
first of all clean your Air Filter, then check O2 Sensor Operation and
connections, then adjust CO level but this requires Exhaust Anylizer-@ a
Shop(To be Accurate) or a volt meter-@ Home-Performed by Self (Can get
Close- E-mail me for proceedure) but with a 462PPM and 4.78%CO this leads me
to beleive the Cat Converter may be faulty, best way to test this is with a
laser temp gun (Got any Gas RC Car freinds? or a Hobby Shop with a helpful
employee wiling to test it in the parking lot?)  these are possible things
to look at, hardest part is setting the fuel mixture without an Exhaust
Anylizer, also the rest of the readings form the test would be helpful, like
CO2- This is a by-product of combustion and indicates how efficient fuel is
being burnt, also the O2% readings can be helpful with diagnosis, so please
forward or even scan the Vehicle Inspection Report to me, my best guess is
it's been running rich and has coated the Cat Conv. causing it to be weak,
Don't replace Anything that is not needed! Remember you still have Re-Test
Fees to come up with and a 30% chance of having the computer (DMV) pick you
to have to take it to a Test Only facility (Yeah this happened to me over a
flippin' gas cap, resulted in Full payment needed at Test Only Center so now
I just go directly there) Hope this was some help, if more help is needed
E-mail me...Curt

----- Original Message -----
From: "dave t" <pearl16v@yahoo.com>
To: <scirocco-l@scirocco.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2002 1:55 PM
Subject: Failed Smog in CA: need help s/ 88 16v


> I failed smog and would like some tips on how to get
> my baby to pass. The problem is w/ the idle emissions.
> I failed both HC PPM (462) and CO% (4.78) with
> terrible scores. I have a hunting idle that's always
> been there since I've owned this car which will be
> 2yrs in september. I don't understand how i passed
> 2yrs ago and fail now when really nothing's changed. I
> alway use 91 octane if thats any consolation.
>
> Things that I plan on doing:
> - replace sparkplugs
> - clean out the air filter (k&n, no not sure if i'm
> better off leaving it dirty)
> - use a fuel additive to clean fuel system
> - pay someone to set the idle and fuel mixture
> - replace the O2 sensor
> - clean the idle stablizer w/ some Gumout
>
> Any comments/suggestions?
>
> I'm in san jose.
>
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